Hungry, needy kids points to underlying economic issues

There were at least two things in the article that pushed me to comment.

First, I take exception to the quoted statement by Tertia Yates that stigmatizes parents who receive welfare. She claims that some make an “easy trip to the pub” rather than buy enough groceries to make lunch for their children.” This seems to be gratuitously supporting the blame-the-victim mentality that is paving the way for the slashing of our social programs.

Next, while mentally applauding Kids Klub for their generous work and the school district for its lunch program, I was stopped by the underlying questions: Why are there so many hungry school-age children in Victoria? And what about the parents and younger siblings? Aren’t they hungry, too? Why are they hungry?”

Yates said she blames worsening economic times and unemployment (along with the above-mentioned parents on welfare). And yes, those are symptoms of something going wrong. But what’s the cause?

We need to restructure our society so that it is for the 100 per cent. For all of us – we shouldn’t be split into the top 10 per cent and the bottom 90 per cent. There is enough for everyone, if we care enough.

I give thanks to the People’s Assembly in Centennial Square for caring. They are peacefully standing up (or camping out) for the need for change.